Patient Ann-Marie takes on challenge of a lifetime for North London Hospice

September 27, 2021

There is no stopping Ann-Marie Wilson once she puts her mind to something. The psychologist, founder and director of charity 28 Too Many and recently published author is in training for her latest challenge – the Virtual London Marathon.

Ann-Marie has been supported by North London Hospice’s Health & Wellbeing Centre for the last six years and is taking part in the 26.2-mile marathon to raise funds for the hospice, and to tick another thing off her ever-evolving bucket list.

“I always wanted to do a marathon and I was due to run one around the time of my diagnosis,” says Ann-Marie, who discovered she had stage four lymphatic cancer in 2015. “And if you’re only ever going to do one, the London Marathon is the big ticket. I didn’t think I’d ever be well enough so doing the Virtual London Marathon has given me the chance to tick this one off my bucket list!”

Following her diagnosis, Ann-Marie referred herself to North London Hospice and has received a range of support over the years; from art therapy, acupuncture and acupressure to sessions with our psychologist, clinical advice and guidance and even help clearing out her loft, thanks to our Compassionate Neighbours volunteers!

“Having the support of the Health & Wellbeing Centre has been like having a lattice fence. It’s given me the framework to build my life with cancer – whether its pain relief, psychological support or learning new hobbies. (I’m a founding member of the hospice’s photography group). I live in the moment but the North London Hospice has helped me deal with the tricky stuff that you want to put off. I don’t have family and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Anne-Marie & Angie

Ann-Marie will have Angie, her friend of 30 years, walking by her side on October 3when they set off with 50,000 others around the globe to complete their own virtual London Marathon in under 24 hours. Participants can walk, jog or run the distance on a route of their choice.

“I’m on a 19-week training plan, walking four days a week. I do my big walks on Saturdays, which eventually reach 22 miles. We’ve trained in some beautiful settings – Richmond Park, Kew Gardens and in the summer, the gardens at Buckingham Palace where I was invited to attend a picnic!

“I have a ‘can do’ attitude when I set my mind to something. I like to have targets in my life. That motivates me and I turn that motivation into energy. I’ve always been a busy person; some call it busy but I call it focused. I like variety and new challenges.”

And her motivation for this challenge is to raise as much money as she can for the hospice and it’s services.

“The Health & Wellbeing Centre brings different things for different seasons to my life. Whether it’s a delicious meal cooked by the wonderful chef Annie or time in the lovely gardens, watching and listening to the fountains. The art therapy with Christina was wonderful. I have a strong head but art therapy helped me process my feelings.

“The hospice has been my rock. I’ve managed to reduce my medication with the support of the community nursing team. The hospice is my go to place, an anchor from which I can live my life. It’s my safe place and somewhere that I want to know will always be there not just for me, but for others in the future too.” 

You can donate to Ann Marie’s fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ann-marie-wilson7or if you feel inspired by her story, consider a challenge of your own to support our work. We have lots to choose from here: https://northlondonhospice.org/support-us/